Wilderness and Travel Medicine: A Complete Wilderness Medicine and Travel Medicine Handbook: Escape, Evasion, and Survival

By Sam Fury

This is the Only Wilderness Medicine Book You Need!

 

Could you save yourself or a loved one when there are no doctors around?

 

All too often travelers and outdoor enthusiasts get sick, injured, or worse.

 

Learn how to prevent and cure a wide range of ailments whether at home, abroad, or in the wilderness.

 

Discover how to heal yourself, because this comprehensive manual has all the information you need.

 

Get it now.

 

A Wilderness Medicine Handbook Like No Other

• Diagnoses and treatments for a wide range of injuries and illnesses.
• How to improvise what you need when modern medicine isn't available.
• Pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants, veterinary substitutes, and other alternative remedies.
• Preventative methods so you don't get sick/injured in the first place.
• Safe use and dosage instructions for suggested medications.
• Sample wilderness medicine kit that you can take on a commercial flight.

Information for Each Condition Contains

• A brief description.
• Possible symptoms.
• Appropriate treatment(s) depending on the situation.
• Other supplementary information, e.g., causes, prevention, alternative remedies, complications.

A 2-Part Wilderness Medicine Field Guide

 

Quickly find what you're looking for in an emergency situation.

 

Part I is must-read information covering:

• Anatomy: Learn how the body's systems work individually and as a whole. This makes diagnoses easier.
• Prevention Medicine: Prevention is the best cure. Learn how to avoid getting sick and/or injured in the first place.
• First Aid Kit: An inventory and simple explanation of a first aid kit for travelers.
• Medications Guide: Information on the safe use of the medications in this book.
• Immediate First Aid: What to do in life-threatening medical situations.
• Secondary Exam: A secondary exam will help you to make an accurate medical diagnosis.
• Moving a Patient: Safe ways to move a patient.

Part II is diagnoses and treatments. It is uniquely categorized by cause and/or body area to enable quick searching.

• Environmental: Tropical diseases, heat and cold injuries, plants and animals, jetlag, etc.
• Head: Headaches, brain injuries, ears, eyes, and nose infections, dental issues, etc.
• Circulation: Shock, dehydration, diabetes, etc.
• Digestive: Diarrhea, constipation, food poisoning, motion sickness, etc.
• Genitourinary: STI's, pregnancy, UTI's, etc.
• Integumentary: Skin disorders, nail injuries, splinters, etc.
• Musculoskeletal: Sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, etc.
• Respiratory: Asthma, strep-throat, bronchitis, cold and flu, pneumonia, etc.

... and much more.

 

Limited Time Only...
Get your copy of Wilderness and Travel Medicine today and you will also receive:

• Free SF Nonfiction Books new releases
• Exclusive discount offers
• Downloadable sample chapters
• Bonus content

… and more!

 

No matter where you go you need this book, because the information inside it saves lives.

 

Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SF Nonfiction Books
• Release date: Jul 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781925979114

Book preview

Wilderness And Travel Medicine

Wilderness And Travel Medicine

A Complete Wilderness Medicine and Travel Medicine Handbook

Sam Fury

Illustrated by

Neil Germio

Edited by

Max JH Powers

SF Nonfiction Books

Copyright SF Nonfiction Books © 2015

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Updated 2021 ©

www.SFNonfictionBooks.com

All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent from the author.

Warnings and Disclaimers

The information in this publication is made public for reference only.

Neither the author, publisher, nor anyone else involved in the production of this publication is responsible for how the reader uses the information or the result of his/her actions.

Contents

Introduction

Patient Care

First Aid Kit

PART ONE: MUST-READ INFORMATION

Basic Human Anatomy

Circulatory System

Digestive System

Endocrine System

Immune System

Integumentary System

Genitourinary System

Musculoskeletal System

Nervous System

Respiratory System

Prevention

General Health and Fitness

Personal Hygiene

Vaccinations

Medications Guide

Using the Medications Recommended in This Book

Alternative Remedies Vs Pharmaceuticals

General Safe Use Information for all Medications

Analgesics, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Fever Reducers

Antibiotics

Anti-fungals

Antihistamines

Antiseptics

Antiviral Drugs

Haemostatics

High-Altitude Medications

Motion Sickness, Nausea, and Vomiting

Medicinal Plants

Miscellaneous

Immediate First Aid

Critical First Aid

Assess the Situation

Mental Status: AVPU

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Severe Bleeding

Nervous System

Anaphylaxis

Heart Attack

Pressure Immobilization Technique

Sucking Chest Wound

Mass Casualty Critical Assessment

Secondary Exam

Recording Your Findings

Physical Exam

History

Vital Signs

Open Wounds, Skin Infections, and Sepsis

Open Wounds

Impaling Objects

Skin Infection and Sepsis

Moving a Patient

Drags

Carries

Improvised Litters

Patient Packing

Non-Rigid Litters

Rigid Litters

PART TWO: DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENTS

ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED

Altitude Induced

General Prevention of Altitude-Induced Illnesses

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

HAPE and HACE

HAFE

High-Altitude Pharyngitis and Bronchitis

Peripheral Edema

Animals: Marine

General Treatments

Marine Toxins

Spiny Injuries

Barracuda

Blue-Ringed Octopus

Bristle-Worm

Catfish

Conus

Coral

Jellyfish

Leeches

Moray Eel

Sea Cucumber

Sea Lion

Sea Snake

Sea Urchin

Sharks

Spine Fish

Sponges

Stingray

Weever Fish

Animals: Terrestrial

General Prevention of Animal Attack

Ant Bites

Bed Bugs

Bee/Wasp Sting

Caterpillars

Cat-Scratch Disease

Fleas

Insects: General

Mammalian Bites

Rabies

Mosquitoes

Dengue Fever

Japanese Encephalitis

Malaria

West Nile Virus

Yellow Fever

Cutaneous Myiasis

Mites and Chiggers

Porcupines

Scorpions

Snakes

Pressure-Immobilization Technique

Ticks

Lyme Disease

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Tick Paralysis

Lice

Head Lice

Pubic Lice

Body Lice

Cold and/or Water Induced

Cold Water Immersion

Drowning

Frostbite

Hypothermia

Saltwater Sores

Trench Foot

Diving Induced

Alternobaric Vertigo

Arterial Gas Embolism

Contaminated Breathing Gas

Decompression Sickness

Inner Ear Barotrauma

Mask Squeeze

Nitrogen Narcosis

Hot Tub Folliculitis

Pulmonary Barotrauma

Sinus Squeeze

Tooth Squeeze

Heat and/or Sun Induced

Burns

Heat Edema

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Rash

Heat Stroke

Heat Syncope

Hyponatremia

Miscellaneous Environmental Illnesses

Allergic Reactions

Hay Fever

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Jet Lag

Lightning

Radiation Sickness

Smoke Inhalation

Toxic Plants

HEAD

Brain

Acute Stress Reaction

Epidural Hematoma

Increasing Intracranial Pressure

Insomnia

Meningitis

Seizure

Stroke

Traumatic Brain Injury

Headaches And Migraines

Dehydration Headache

Sinus Headache

Tension Headache

Migraines

Ears

External Otitis

Otitis Media

Ear Wax

Foreign Bodies in the Ear

Perforated Eardrum

Eyes

Eye Patching

Foreign Bodies in the Eye

Corneal Abrasion

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Conjunctivitis

Corneal Erosion

Corneal Ulcer

Displaced Contact Lens

Giant Cell Arteritis

Hyphema

Impaling Object in the Eye

Solar/Ultraviolet Keratitis

Stye

Mouth and Teeth

Toothache

Dental Extraction

Avulsion

Dry Socket

Aphthous Ulcers

Broken or Chipped Tooth

Cold Sores

Condensing Osteitis

Dental Abscess

Fractured Tooth

Gingivitis and Gum Disease

Lost Filling

Luxation

Mandibular Dislocation

Myofascial Dysfunction/Pain

Thrush

Tonsillitis

Nose

Broken Nose

Foreign Body in the Nose

Nosebleed

Raw Nose

Sinusitis

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Fainting

Internal Bleeding

Dehydration and Volume Shock

Dehydration

Volume Shock

Rehydration Plan

Diabetes-Related Illnesses

Hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Abdominal Pain

Alcohol Poisoning

Hangovers

Appendicitis

Constipation

Diverticulitis

Food Poisoning

Gas

Heartburn

Hemorrhoids

Hepatitis

Nausea and Vomiting

Peptic Ulcer

Worms

Diarrhea

More Serious than Diarrhea

Dysentery

Salmonella

Typhoid/Paratyphoid Fever

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM

Kidney Infection

Kidney Stones

Prostatitis

Urinary Tract Infections

Vaginal Infections

Bacterial Vaginosis

Pregnancy-Relatated Conditions

Delivery

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Miscarriage

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Tubal Pregnancy

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Chlamydia

Genital Herpes

Gonorrhea

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Abscesses

Acne

Blisters and Hot Spots

Bruises

Chickenpox

Eczema

Shingles

Splinters

Fishhooks

Tinea/Ringworm

Athlete’s Foot

Nail Injuries

Nail Avulsion

Ingrown Toenail

Crush Injuries

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Musculoskeletal Injuries in General

Immobilization

Amputations

Backache

Pneumothorax

Tetanus

Dislocations

Reductions

Fractures

Fractured Ribs

Flail Chest

Fractured Pelvis

Sprains and Strains

Sprains

Strains

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Asthma

Bronchitis

Cold and Flu

Dry Cough

Pneumonia

Sore Throat

Strep Throat

Whooping Cough

References

Author Recommendations

About Sam Fury

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INTRODUCTION

This book is a comprehensive guide to wilderness and travel medicine. It started out as a personal reference that I could store on my phone while traveling.

Of course, there are many similar books, but I purposefully organized this one in a specific way for easy reference. Also, it contains information on what you can use when pharmaceuticals are not available. This is good for WSHTF scenarios or in foreign countries where you may have to improvise.

I want to stress that this is NOT a replacement for professional training or a doctor’s advice. It is a reference manual and nothing more.

Enhanced Learning

Although this book is jam-packed with information covering a wide variety of field-treatable ailments, no amount of reading can compare to a practical-based medical course taught by a professional medical trainer. A standard first aid course is good, but a wilderness first aid course or higher is better.

How to Use This Book

The information in this book is very multifaceted. Many chapters refer to one another, and these are indicated in the text as Related Chapters.

This book is comprised of two parts:

1. Must Read Information

The first part contains all the background knowledge needed to effectively use the information in this book. It covers the following:

Anatomy. A basic rundown of how the body’s systems work individually and as a whole.

Prevention Medicine. How to avoid getting sick and/or injured in the first place.

Medications Guide. Important information on the safe use of the medications referenced in this book.

Immediate First Aid. Contains the information needed on what to do medically in urgent, life-threatening situations.

Secondary Exam. A secondary exam will help you to make an accurate medical diagnosis.

Moving a Patient. Learn a variety of methods to safely move a patient.

2. Diagnosis and Treatments

This section of the book contains all the information you need to diagnose and treat specific medical problems that are not covered in the Immediate First Aid chapter.

Information for each condition contains:

A brief description of the condition.

Symptoms that may be experienced as a result of the condition.

Appropriate treatment(s) for the condition depending on the situation.

Other supplementary information—e.g., causes, prevention, alternative remedies, and possible complications—may also be included where applicable.

Note: Depending on your situation, many of the treatments may not be viable. Innovate and do the best you can with what you have.

PATIENT CARE

Most of the treatments in this book are described as self-aid, but they can also be used to treat others.

It is important to remember that although you may be trying to help someone, it is ultimately up to them—or an advocate acting on their behalf—as to whether and how you can treat them. If they refuse or object to your help, you should respect their request.

It is also important to explain to patients the full range of options and let them choose which course of action to take. You can give them your recommendations, but it is up to them to make the final choice.

If a patient is medically incompetent or unable to give consent and there is no advocate, whether or not to help them is a decision you will have to make.

FIRST AID KIT

A basic first aid kit is something every traveler should carry. Exactly what you carry in it is dependent on your skills. Also consider if you will want to take it on board a plane since there are some items that will not be allowed.

Here is a sample first aid kit which is safe to have as carry-on luggage as long as the liquids do not exceed the 100-ml limit.

Since most travelers prefer to limit the amount of luggage they have, this sample kit is very minimalist, which means many things will have to be improvised if needed.

Further information about specific items and their use can be found in later chapters.

Adhesive bandages: an assortment of sizes

Amoxicillin/clavulanate, e.g., Augmentin (antibiotic)

Anti-diarrheal, e.g., Imodium

Aspirin (analgesic, anti-inflammatory)

Ciprofloxacin, e.g., Cipro (antibiotic)

Cloth tape

Doxycycline, e.g., Vibramycin (antibiotic)

Diphenhydramine, e.g., Benadryl (antihistamine)

Gauze pads: Preferably sterile

Gloves: Preferably non-latex

Haemostatic, e.g., QuikClot (blood clotting agent)

Hydrocodene (analgesic, strong)

Laxative: preferably natural, e.g., Metamucil

Lip balm

SOAP notes and pencil

Scissors: May not be able to take on board a plane, but if they are small enough, they should pass.

Sunscreen: SPF 30 at a minimum

Tick/splinter kit: Should include small tweezers and mini magnifying glass.

Medications pertinent to your travels, e.g., high-altitude, SCUBA

Personal medications, e.g., allergy/anaphylaxis, asthma, contact lenses

Also consider:

Albuterol, even if non-asthmatic.

Alternate antibiotics in case of allergy or other complication, e.g., pregnancy.

Blister bandages.

Epinephrine auto-injector, e.g., EpiPen, even if no known history of anaphylaxis.

Eye wash, eye drops, and/or antibiotic eye drops.

Oral thermometer.

Roller bandage.

Small LED flashlight.

Triangular bandage(s).

Vet wrap.

Paperwork, e.g., notes from doctor for prescription drugs, first aid notes, inventory, etc.

If you do not trust natural remedies for certain (or all) things, then consider also including:

Acetaminophen (analgesic).

Antacid.

Antifungal.

Antiseptic.

Burn gel.

Decongestant.

Dramamine (motion sickness).

Hand sanitizer.

Ibuprofen (analgesic, anti-inflammatory).

Itch relief.

Insect repellant: DEET 30% maximum or Picaridin.

Triple antibiotic ointment.

Important Notes:

Check your first aid kit regularly for expiration dates and refill any supplies that have been used.

Please read the medications guide chapter before considering the use of any type of medication.

Doctor notes for prescription drugs are recommended.

Related Chapters

Must Read > Medications Guide

Must Read > Secondary Exam

PART ONE: MUST-READ INFORMATION

Basic Human Anatomy

The human body is truly amazing, but it does have its vulnerabilities. Everyone should take the time to learn about the human body in general as well as what it can and can’t do.

A general overview of the body’s main systems and how they work together will help with correct diagnoses and treatments. The body’s systems will also be used in categorizing specific diagnoses and treatments within this book.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

WTM 201 BasicHumanAnatomy

The circulatory (cardiovascular) system is made up of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). The heart is like a pump which circulates blood to all the different parts of the body via the blood vessels.

Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste products, etc.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

WTM 202 BasicHumanAnatomyA

The main job of the digestive system is to break down food and convert it into nutritional molecules. These molecules are distributed throughout the body via the circulatory system. The digestive system also gets rid of everything that is unused in the form of excrement.

When a bite of food is taken, it marks the beginning of the digestive process. Through chewing and the mixture of saliva, the food is broken down into easily digested pieces. The food is then passed through the throat (larynx) and swallowed down the esophagus into the stomach.

The stomach adds acid and enzymes to the food while mixing and grinding it into a paste-like substance. Next is the small intestine, which uses enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver, as well as some help from the gallbladder (the gallbladder concentrates the bile from the liver, mainly by removing the water) to further break down the food and absorb nutrients into the blood stream.

Whatever is left over is then passed to the colon (large intestine). Water is removed, leaving behind mostly food debris and bacteria, i.e., feces. The feces (stool) are stored in a part of the colon called the sigmoid colon. Once the sigmoid colon is full, it is emptied into the rectum. The rectum holds the feces until it is told by the brain that it is okay to empty it. When it is time, the anal sphincters are relaxed and the feces is expelled.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

WTM 203 BasicHumanAnatomy

The endocrine system is the main system that coordinates the chemicals within the body. Hormones carry the body’s chemical messages around the body. A gland is a group of cells that produces and secrete these chemicals.

Although nearly all organs and tissues produce their respective systems’ endocrine hormones, the principal endocrine glands are the adrenal, parathyroid, pituitary, and thyroid glands, as well as the gonads and pancreas.

The hypothalamus is a bunch of cells in the lower brain. The brain uses the hypothalamus to communicate with the pituitary gland.

At the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus, is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is made up of two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe produces corticotrophin (stimulates the adrenal gland), growth hormones, prolactin (regulates milk production in mothers), and thyrotropin (stimulates the thyroid gland). It also releases endorphins to the nervous system which decrease feelings of pain, release the hormones which tell the sexual organs to produce sexual hormones, and control ovulation and menstruation in females.

The posterior lobe releases anti-diuretic hormones which help with the balance of water in the body as well as producing oxytocin which triggers uterine contractions during childbirth.

The two adrenal glands also have two parts. The outer part is the adrenal cortex, which produces corticosteroid hormones. The corticosteroid hormones regulate the immune system, metabolism, stress response, sexual development, sexual function, and salt-water balance.

The inner part of the adrenal gland is the adrenal medulla: it produces adrenaline (epinephrine). Epinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body experiences stress.

The gonads are the main source of sexual hormones. In men, they are the testes, which release androgens such as testosterone. Testosterone regulates puberty in adolescent males and helps communicate to the body when to produce more sperm. In females, the gonads are the ovaries, which produce eggs and release estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen regulates puberty, and both hormones regulate the menstrual cycle and help in pregnancy.

The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon which work together to maintain a steady level of glucose in the blood and keep the body supplied with fuel for creating and storing energy.

The pineal gland is in the brain; it secretes melatonin, which is believed to regulate sleeping patterns.

The thyroid produces the hormones that control the rate at which cells burn fuel from food to produce energy. The more of these hormones there are, the faster the chemical reactions in the body occur.

Attached to the thyroid are the parathyroids, which release the parathyroid hormone. The parathyroid hormone helps to regulate calcium in the blood.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

WTM 204 BasicHumanAnatomy

The immune system helps to protect the body from disease. It identifies pathogens (e.g., viruses), distinguishes them from healthy tissue, and then fights them.

It uses white blood cells (leukocytes) to